Paramount, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Chapter 12.42 of the Paramount Municipal Code sets the permit stack for food trucks, and § 12.42.070 says a mobile food vendor must have these at all times. First, a valid business license issued by the City for the specific operating location in the City, with all necessary documentation submitted for application review. Second, with that application, a certificate of commercial general liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000, with a signed endorsement satisfactory to the City, naming the City, City Council, Commissions, officers, employees and agents as additional insured. Third, a valid California driver's license or commercial driver's license, whichever State law requires, a valid registration for the vending vehicle, a food handling credential, a valid California reseller's permit and a valid permit issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

A vendor wishing to locate a vending vehicle within the public roadway or private property must also obtain an approved mobile food vendor permit from the Planning Department before operating in the City. For private property (§ 12.42.090), the property owner or legally authorized representative must authorize the vendor in writing and give the Planning Department a copy before the vendor gets a business license and permit. A business owner's authorization is not enough unless that person is the owner's legally authorized representative. The Planning Director or designee decides on objective criteria: the number and precise locations of food vendor vehicles previously permitted on the parcel, the number and locations permitted at surrounding properties, the uses surrounding the proposed location, and any previous violations of Chapter 12.42 or other chapters of the Code. That decision to issue or deny is final.

Inspection and equipment. Each vending vehicle must be inspected and approved by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department Vehicle Inspection Program before the City issues the business license. Cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors must be protected by a UL 300-listed automatic fire extinguishing system, and each vehicle must carry a Class K fire extinguisher at an accessible location. All licensing documents must be in the vendor's possession and displayed in a visible and conspicuous location during operation (§ 12.42.080(J)).